Guide:Morrowind

Guide: A modern Morrowind

The STEP Solution
One can spend hundreds of hours just searching for mods before actually getting down to the business of installing them.
As mods increase in number and complexity and mod creators produce more and more mods that alter game play, interface and settings,
the probability of game-crashing conflicts increases. The STEP project takes care of the heavy lifting associated with sifting through thousands of mods
and selecting the ones that significantly enhance and improve the vanilla experience without detracting from it
with as little cost as possible in terms of performance. Users are able to follow detailed, step-by-STEP manual-installation instructions
and be confident that all components have been individually tested by the community and the results verified.
This cuts down on a vast amount of time and headache dealing with sampling, testing and troubleshooting.
That being said, should you have any questions during or after the install, then don't hesitate to join our Discord server!

1. Install & Utilities

1.B Install Utilities

We will use Mod Organizer 2 to install our mods. It creates a virtual Data Folder which allows us to re-arrange and install/uninstall mods easyily.
Some of the mods need special installation instructions as a lot of Morrowind mods are not packed properly for use with MO2.
We will gladly take this little amount of extra work for MO's advantages. Once you get used to it, it becomes easy to use.

Utility	Instructions
7-Zip	Install 64-bit version, only use 32-bit if 64-bit doesn't work
Mod Organizer 2	Download archive version. Extract it on the same drive as Morrowind. I have A:/Morrowind and A:/Mod Organizer Morrowind.

Starting up Mod Organizer for the first time:
1. Right click ModOrganizer.exe, go to properties and let it run as administrator in the compatibility tab.
2. Run Mod Organizer.
3. It will ask you how you want to manage this MO installation. Select portable and choose Morrowind as your game. If it doesn't find it automatically lead it to Morrowind's path.
4. Tell it that you don't need a tutorial. The guide will work you through everything.

1.C Install MCP & MGE

Patch name	OpenMW	Instructions
Morrowind Code Patch	No	Drop the contents of the archive to your Morrowind directory. Run Morrowind Code Patch.exe and click "Apply chosen patches". Some optional mods need additional patches applied. This will be noted and you can simply re-run MCP with the additional patch applied then.
MGE XE	No	The install instructions are below due to its length.

Installing MGE XE with Mod Organizer 2:
1. Extract all contents except the Data Files folder to your Morrowind directory.
2. Drop the archive into ...\Mod Organizer\downloads.
3. Start Mod Organizer 2 and on the right hand side you will see some tabs (Plugins | Archives | Data | Saves | Downloads).
4. Click on the download tab. You should see MGE XE there. Ignore the warning sign.
5. Double click it. You'll the folder structure. It tells you there is no game data on top (picture).
6. Right click on Data files and click "Set Data Directory". It should say "looks good" now. Untick XE Sky Variations.esp and click ok.
7. It will install the Data Files contents of MGE XE. Go to the left hand side of MO where you should see MGE XE now and tick the empty box.
8. Now click on the drop down menu left of the "run" button. Click <edit...>. Type MGE XE in Title and choose MGEXEgui.exe for Binary.
9. Click add and close (not x!).
10. Done. We will come back to it later.

1.D About MGE and downloading shaders

The latest Morrowind graphic extender enables higher resolutions, better shaders, bump-mapping, and much more.
All extra shaders and settings can be downloaded here.
After install, adjust the resolution to what the system is using(for example 1920 x 1080).

1.E System Requirements

This is the minimum specifications for a good gaming experience, anything more powerful than this will run fine.
OpenMW is an performance friendly and cross-platform alternative to MGE, but requires avoiding certain mods, many cannot
be easily deactivated after installing them. OpenMW does not support shaders.

Base Game	Build with OpenMW	Build with MGE XE
500 MHz Intel PIII, Celeron, or AMD Athlon	Anything	Any modern Intel or 2+ Ghz AMD processor
256MB RAM	2GB RAM	4GB RAM
GeForce2 GTS, Radeon 7500	Anything	GTX 950, R7 370

1.F Installing Mods

Read this carefully!

We already installed MGE XE for use with MO2. It was a little bit involved but don't worry, most of the other mods will be straight forward to install.
For most mods that are hosted on Nexus you will have a direct download link in the guide. To make use of this perform the following:
1. Go into Mod Organizer, then to settings (the button with tools in it) and the Nexus tab.
2. If you have an account you can log-in there. Click "Associate with "Download with manager" links.
3. Drag & drop all servers except for CDN (free) and Europe#1 (premium) to Preferred Servers.
4. Click ok

If you download a mod with a direct link you simply have to go to the Downloads tab in MO and double click the mod you just downloaded.
Always choose install manual (if not it will be noted in the mods instructions). MO wants the contents of Data Files folder on top.
These are /meshes, /textures, /icons, etc. If it says "looks god" you can click ok and let it install. If it says "No game data on top",
you have to find the Data Files, right click it and click "Set data directory". Click ok and check the mod in the left pane.
You can uncheck unnecessary files and folders like screenshots, readmes, docs etc. But notice that I won't notify that if it's not necessary.

The following pictures will explain the process:

If you have to download a mod that is not on the nexus you have to perform another step. Download the mod and drop it manually to ...\Mod Organizer\downloads.
It should now appear in the Downloads tab in MO from where you can perform the installation as described above.
Alternatively you can click on the small Tool button with an arrow, click install mod and lead it to the archive.
There are some mods that are packed in a complicated way. If that is the case you will find detailed installation instructions.

2. Mods

Note: If you want a simpler setup try BasicMW instead.
The guide is meant to be installed in order from top to bottom. Alternatives are meant to be installed instead of the Main mod.
I can't provide installation instructions for alternatives. Read the instructions carefully to avoid problems!

2.A Fixes & patches

Note on OpenMW compatibility: This requires selecting the non-bump mapped versions of mods.

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Direct Link
Morrowind Optimization Patch	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Correct Meshes	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Detailed Correct UV Rocks	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Correct UV Mudcrabs	Yes	Install with MO. Only install the contents from "regular" folder.	MO
Patch for Purists	Yes	Install with MO	MO

2.B Meshes

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Direct Link
Ingredients Mesh Replacer	Yes	Download manually and install with MO. There is no direct link.
Dunmer Lanterns Replacer	Yes	Install with MO. Uncheck the Alternates folder only install the meshes folder.	MO
Mesh Improvements Optimized	Yes	Download manually and install it with MO. Only check meshes and textures folder in MO.
RR Mod Series - Better Meshes	Yes	Download all files manually and install with MO. Don't install any optional folders.
Better Meshes plus Optimization	Yes	Install with MO.	MO
PikachunoTMs Mesh Artifact Improvements	Yes	Download both main files and install with MO. Uncheck ATL-Bloodskal Blade.esp for Bloodskal Blade	MO1 MO2
MOAR Mesh Replacers	Yes	Install with MO. Uncheck furn_basket_01.nif from meshes/f.	MO

2.C Objects & Clutter

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Direct Link
Wood Furniture	Yes	Download manually and install with MO.
AOF Containers	Yes	Install with MO. Uncheck NewSackTextures folder.	MO
Detailed Tapestries	Yes	Install with MO.	MO
Detailed Rugs v2	Yes	Right click on the desktop. Make a new folder called textures. Extract the contents of the archive there and repack it as an achive. Install with MO.	MO
AST Beds Remastered	Yes	Install with MO. Only check the textures folder.	MO
Better Kegstands	Yes	Install with MO.	MO
Arukinns Better Books and Scrolls	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Guar Skin Banners	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Improved Kwama Eggs and Egg Sacs	No	Install with MO. Only install the contents from 00-Data Files folder.	MO
One True Faith - Saints and Frescoes Retexture	Yes	Install with MO.	MO
Dunmeri Urns - Aestetika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Long Live The Limeware	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Long Live The Glassware	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Long Live The Plates	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Better Skulls	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Apel's Various Things - Signs	No	Install with MO	MO
EKM Vanilla-Based Paper Lanterns	Yes	Download manually and install with MO.
Ket's Potions and Beverages Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Ket's Swirlwood Furniture retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Signposts Retextured	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Well Lit Lanterns	Yes	Install with MO	MO

2.D Architecture

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Direct Link	Alternatives
Nature Unification Compilation	No	Download manually and install with MO. Uncheck the .esm ,flora_bc_podplant_03.nif and Tx_BC_podplant_03.dds
Apel's Lighthouse Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Imperial Houses and Forts Retexture - Ordo Arkitektora	Yes	Install with MO	MO	1 2 3
Bump-mapped AOFs Imperial Housing with optional Vanilla-Friendly Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Telvanni - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Install all three links with MO	MO1 MO2 MO3
Shacks Docks and Ships - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Install with MO	MO	1 2 3
Velothi Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO	1 2 3 4
Daedric Ruins Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Daedric Ruins - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Install with MO	MO	1
Sewers - Arkitektora of Vvardenfell	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Hlaalu Normal Mapped for OpenMW	Yes	Install with MO	MO	1 2 3
Redoran Bump mapped	No	Install with MO	MO	1
HD Architecture Meshes and Skar mega textures	Yes	Only download Ham Skar (4096) manually and install with MO. Install the direct link on top.	MO
Dwemer Mesh Improvement	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Full Dwemer Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
R-Zero's Random Retextures - Dwemer Coin ,Quill and Chimney smoke	Yes	Install with MO	MO1 MO2 MO3
Ultimate Dunmer Strongholds v1.2	Yes	Install with MO. Only check meshes and textures folder.	MO
Mournhold Overhaul v21	Yes	Install with MO. UNcheck the esps and Extra's folder.	MO	1 2 3
High-res Skaal Retex	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Articus Old Mournhold and Sewers	Yes	Install with Mo	MO
Articus Old Stucco 2K Retexture	Yes	Install with MO	MO
Dragon Statue Replacer	Yes	Download manually and extract Option 1.rar from the archive. Install it with MO.		1

2.E NPCs

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
Robert's bodies	Yes	Install only the main file	Races Redone Patch Continue from Animation Compilation below if you use this.
Westly's pluginless head replacer	Yes	Replacer for all Heads except for beast races. Install this on top.
Pluginless Khajiit Head Pack	Yes	Download the whiskers version
Argonian Head Replacer	Yes	Download "Argonians Revamp" from the files section	Improved Argonians
New Beast Bodies	Yes	Mature alternative
Animation Compilation	Yes	Updated animations
Divine Dagoths	Yes	Pluginless replacer for Dagoth Ur and his brothers

2.F Clothing

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
Good clothes	No	Don't install any esp. Install this esp instead.	1
Robe Overhaul	Yes	Use the basic version
Mage Robes	Yes	More robes. Install the contents from 0-Data Files. If you intend to use any of the mods in the 1-Add-Ons folder get the corresponding .esp as well.
New Gondolier Helm	Yes	After installation move a_gondolier_m_helmet.nif from the meshes folder to meshes\a
Unique Finery Replacer UFR	Yes	Install "no robes"-.ESP

2.G Weapons

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Unification Compilation: Armory	No	skip .esp
Ice Blade of the Monarch PBR	Yes	Lore-friendly replacer
Mehrunes' Razor PBR	Yes	PBR prototype not required. Install Vanilla Plus
Correct Iron Warhammer	Yes	Brings the warhammer closer to lore
Volendrung	Yes	Vanilla-friendly replacer
Fang of Haynekhtnamet Replacer	Yes	Unique replacer for Fang of Haynekhtnamet
Bonemold Bow Replacer	Yes	Vanilla-friendly Replacer. Only install the main file.

2.H Armor

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
HiRez Armors- Native Styles	Yes	Download these 3 updates: Update 1 2
Armors Retexture - Outlander Styles	Yes	Armor textures. Download one main file.
Less Bulky Pauldrons	Yes	Also install "HiRez Armors- Native Styles V2" from optional files in the .zip
Colovian helm and heavy leather boots retexture	Yes	The link is correct, see under "files"
Royalguard better armor	Yes	Replacer for royal guards in Tribunal
Daedric Lord Armor Morrowind Edition	Yes	Extra helmet
Orcish Retexture v1.2	Yes	Parts of orcish armor redone. Download v1.2
More Realisitc Dwemer Armor	Yes	Use this if Skyrim style is preferred
Bear Armor Replacer	Yes	Replacer for Bear Armor. Download the english version.

2.I Creatures

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes
Darknut's Creature Textures	Yes	Retexture of creatures
Darknut's Creature Textures addendum	Yes	Retexture of more creatures
Netch Bump mapped	No	Retexture of netch. Download the main file.
Kwama forager bump mapped	No	Link is correct, see under "files"
Cliffracer Replacer	Yes	Retexture of cliffracers
Nix-Hound Replacer	Yes	Retexture of nixhound
Guars replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of guars
Kagouti replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of kagouti
Alit replacer - Aendemika of Vvardenfell	Yes	Retexture of alit
Better Spriggans	Yes	Spriggan replacer with glow maps
Better Scamps	Yes	Scamps redone
Silt Strider Replacer	Yes	New meshes and textures

2.J Flora & Landscape

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes	Alternatives
Tyddy's Landscape Retexture	Yes	"HQ" version recommended. Don't install tx_gl_dirt_grass_01.dds and tx_gl_dirt_grass_02.dds Also install this fix.	1 2
Caverns Bump mapped	No	New cave textures. Download the main and optional file.
Apel's Asura Coast and Sheogorath Region Retexture	Yes	Download only the main file. Don't install Terrain_rock_AC_01-12.nif from the meshes\f folder.
Hackle-lo Fixed	Yes	New mesh & texture
Apels Ascadian Isles Retex	Yes	Texture replacer for the Ascadian isles region
Remiros' Ascadian Isles Trees 2	Yes	Trees for the Ascadian isles region
Mournhold Flora Redux	Yes	Download the main- and optional files.	1 2
Vanilla-friendly West Gash Tree Replacer	Yes	Both a model and texture replacer for the West Gash trees
Vurts Bitter Coast Trees II	Yes	Download the main file.
Rebirth optional files	Yes	Only install the bitter coast textures	1
Bitter Coast Redux II	Yes	Download Flora and Vurt trees
Telvanni Bump Maps	No	Download the main file.
Vurts Grazelands Trees	Yes	Tree Replacer for the Grazelands
Vurts Ashlands Overhaul	Yes	Install the Vanilla Style Trees
Vurts Solstheim Tree Replacer II	Yes	Download Solstheim Tree Replacer, Collision fix and this
Comberry Bush and Ingredient Replacer	Yes	Download the main file. Install the Vanilla textures.
Articus Blossoms - Potted Plant and Vines	Yes
Articus Ivy and Bush II	Yes
Articus Gold Kanet Improved	Yes	Download the main file.
Bungler's Bane and Hypha Facia HD	Yes
Minor Fixes for Step	Yes
Ozzy's Grass Merged	Yes	Only activate .esp in distant land generation. Don't activate it in the launcher/ Mod Organizer.	1 2

Then delete the following files: flora_chokeweed_01.nif, flora_roobush_01.nif if they are found in your data files.

2.K User Interface

Mod Name	OpenMW	Notes	Alternatives
HD Concept-art splash screen and main menu	Yes	Hires main menu & splash screens
Better Dialogue Font	Yes	Hires UI font
Chocolate UI	Yes	Retextured UI. Also install this.	1 2
HD Intro Cinematic - English	Yes	Must be enabled in MCP. Download your aspect ratio.
Ultimate Icon Replacer	Yes	New icons. Download v1. Don't install tx_warhammer_iron.dds.

2.L Optional gameplay changes

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes	Alternatives
Delayed DB Attack V2	.ESP	No more early attacks from DB	1
Illy's Solsteim Rumour Fix v1.0	esp	Reduces the amount of people that know about Solstheim
The Publicans	esp	More beds for rent
Diseases Restored	esp	New ways to die
Movement Fatigue Halved	esp	Better alternative to "always hit"-mods
Holidays Across Tamriel - Vvardenfell	esp	Enable only Holidays Across Tamriel - Vvardenfell.esp
Purist Friendly Magicka Regen	esp	Adds magicka regeneration to the game
Official Plugins Fixes v1.1	esp & folder	Bethesda-made mods
Subtle Magic Glow	folder	New texture
Bloodmoon Rebalance	esp	This mod rebalances Bloodmoon as if it shipped with Morrowind

2.M Optional Immersion

Mod Name	Mod Format	Notes
Distant Mournhold	.ESP	Makes Temple visible from any part of Mournhold
RR Mod Series - Telvanni Lighthouse Tel Vos	.ESP & .BSA	.INI edit required, instructions here
RR Mod Series - Holamayan Monastery Replacer	.ESP, .BSA & Folder	.INI edit required, instructions here
Concept Art Ghostfence Replacer	.ESP & Folder	New Ghostfence
Morrowind Acoustic Overhaul	.ESM & Folder	Follow the readme closely
Cavern Of The Incarnate Overhaul	.ESP & Folder	.ESP optional
Caldera Mine Expanded	.ESP & Folder	Enhances the Caldera Mine area
Yet Another Guard Diversity	.ESP	Varied guards.
Windoors Glow	.BSA .ESP & Folder	Windows/doors glow during night, register BSA, Patch

2.N Optional Quests

This section gives some recommendations for additional quest mods. The expansions for the great houses have some compatibility issues so it is adviced to pick only the one for House Redoran or House Telvanni.
This may be extended but for now it contains only mods that extend existing quest lines or add new content in a lore friendly way.

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Notes
LGNPC (Less Generic NPCs)	Yes	Download LGNPC Bundle. Don't install Pax Redoran and Tel Uvirith yet.	LGNPC adds a ton of new quests to a lot of cites and villages and extends a lot of dialogues to give the inhabitants of Morrowind more depth.
Pax Redoran and Tel Uvirith (Redoran)	Yes	If you plan to play a redoran character install Pax Redoran and Tel Uvirith now. It has conflicts with the next 2 mods so choose either these two or the next two.	Massively extends the Redoran quest line and Tel Uvirith.
Uvirith's Legacy (Telvanni)	Yes	Don't download one of the additional files.	Extends greatly on the stuff to do once you become Arch Magister of House Telvanni.
Rise of House Telvanni (Telvanni)	Yes	Download the main file and both optional files.	Similar to Uvirith's legacy but they work well together to completely overhaul the Telvanni experience.
Juniper's Twin Lamps	Yes	Download and install as usual.	Introduces a new questline for the Twin Lamps. Free enough slaves and see where it leads.
Tamriel Rebuilt and Tamriel Data	Yes	First download and install Tamriel Data HD. Make sure to register the .bsa as mentioned in the description. After that install Tamriel rebuilt as usual. If you want to have the unfinished parts install all .esps (ignore extras folder). Otherwise don't install TR_Preview.esp. Caution! It adds some low resolution assets that won't fit the visual style of the guide.	Adds the mainland around Morrowind with a lot of new cities, quests and fleshed out guild questlines. The eastern part is finished up to old ebonheart. To get an idea of the scope visit their homepage.

2.O MWSE Mods Optional

This section is dedicated to a wave of new mods based on Morrowind Script Extender 2.1 Alpha (MWSE).
Caution! MWSE 2.1 is still in alpha and gets very regular updated through nightly builds. Also it's incompatible with OpenMW.
If you want to use it make sure to update it regular through MWSE-Update.exe in your Morrowind Folder and also check the mods for updates!

1. Download the latest MWSE Nightly Build.
2. Install the contents of the .zip to your Morrowind directory (not the Data Files folder!) and overwrite existing files.

Note that you have to install the MWSE folders from the following mods to your Morrowind/Data Files folder.

Mod Name	OpenMW	Instructions	Notes
Easy Escort	No	Download the main file and install the MWSE Folder to your Data files folder.	Makes escorting NPCs much easier by teleporting them back to you when they get too far away.
Torch Hotkey	No	Download the main file and install the MWSE Folder to your Data files folder.	Dedicates "C" as the hotkey to equip and unequip your torch.
Happy Harvesting	No	Download the main file and install the MWSE Folder to your Data files folder.	Lets you harvest plants without opening the inventory interface. They are automatically added to your inventory.
Expeditious Exit	No	Download the main file and install the MWSE Folder to your Data files folder.	Force exits the game when quitting. Prevents the .exe has stopped working when exiting the game.
Glow in the Dahrk	No	Drag and Drop the contents from all folders except for 2-Windoors Patch to your Data Files folder. Install Only GITD_Telvanni_Dormers.ESP from 1-Telvanni Dormers on Vvardenfell and only use the Tamriel Rebuilt patch if you use TR.	Adds a subtle glow effect to Windows at night and a godray effect to interior windows at day.

3. Setup & Tweaking

3.A Graphics Card Settings

Turn off antialiasing and anisotropic filtering in the graphics driver. Set the GPU to full performance if possible.

3.B Plugins

1. Open the launcher and activate all plugins except those noted.
2. Run Mlox to sort your plugins.
3. Check that the game, starts, if not, deactivate plugins until it starts.

3.C MGE XE

1. Start MGE XE Gui.
2. Set AA to "4" and AF to "8".
3. Check that resolution and refresh rate matches the monitor settings. Turn Vsync off for now.
4. Generate distant land with all plugins that isn't gameplay-related. Set grass density to 60%.
5. Install the STEP shaders if you haven't already, copy the settings too.
6. That's it! Check game performance and tweak until acceptable FPS is achieved. Vsync may be turned on after this.

Note: If you have good FPS, but still experience stutter, see Texture optimization.
Very low FPS? Consider using Morrowind FPs Optimizer with MGE.
Lastly, install MLOX if you're adding more mods after this guide, it will help sort the plugins for you.

3.D Shader library for MGE XE

With additional shaders the game graphics can be further enhanced and customized.

Mod Name	Sample	Notes
Adaptive HDR by Seventyfour	Sample	Alternate HDR
FXAA by J.Bottcher	Sample	Low-cost AA and softening
Film Grain by wrinklyninja	Sample	Simulates analog film noise
Watercolor	Sample	Enhanced colors and bleed
Bloom by Seventyfour	Sample	Better Bloom
Water by Seventyfour (fixed by Ket Golosov)	Sample	Green water shader, place in \Morrowind\Data Files\shaders
Old Photo by Zilav	Sample	Desaturate, sepia, and vignette in one
Sky Bloom by peachykeen	Sample	Alternate Bloom
Fog-linked DOF	Sample	Distance blur
Lumasharpen by CeeJay.dk	Sample	Sharpens textures
Bokeh by Various	Sample	Bokeh DOF
Gamma Correction by Apel	No sample yet	Adjusts gamma and luminance
Depth of Field by Vtastek	No sample yet	Included fog-blur
Water shader by Vtastek	Sample	Put in \Morrowind\Data Files\shaders

4. Troubleshooting

4.A Plugin master file dependency fix

If you see this error, follow this tutorial.

File:Plugin master file dependency fix.jpeg